Republicans Target Democratic District

Northern Virginia Republicans, already facing an uphill battle to win a House seat in a largely Democratic district in Alexandria, are upset it took until today to get a list of voters seeking absentee ballots.

Chris Marston, chairman of the Alexandria Republican party, said he had been asking for the lists -- which are public record -- from the Fairfax and Alexandria registrars since Dec. 19. A State Board of Elections glitch prevented them from receiving lists until today.

Republicans are looking to target the more than 300 voters who requested absentee ballots in the special election Jan. 13 in the hopes that they can sway enough of them to make a difference in what is expected to be a low-turnout election.

Democrat Charniele Herring, who was homeless as a teenager but rose to become an attorney and civic activist, will face Joe Murray, a special assistant to U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC).

They are vying to replace former Del. Brian J. Moran who recently resigned to seek the Democratic nomination for governor next year. The 46th district is heavily Democratic but Murray could pull off an upset if he convinces a couple hundred supporters to show up at the polls.

The winner will likely be sworn in the following day when the General Assembly convenes for a 45-day session.